Must have add-ons for pd170?

[Paul Maxe]

I am looking to buy 2 pd170's for even videography. Most of my work will be with weddings. Any specific add-ons you feel are necessary?

I was thinking:

wireless mic system
filters?
tripod
extra batteries

What brands/models of the above stuff would you recommend?

Thanks!

[Boyd Ostroff]

The NP-F960's are "must-haves" in my opinion. On my VX-2000 I get close to 8 hours with them.

Tripods? Best you can afford, but the good ones are upwards of $700. See the "support your local camera" forum for lots of discussion on that topic.

[Paul Maxe]

Is there an off brand for the batteries that work just as well for less?

[Ray Echevers]

<<<-- Originally posted by Paul Maxe : Is there an off brand for the batteries that work just as well for less? -->>>
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=287815&is=REG

That's the one I got for my VX-2100, no problems.

Beware of the ebay Sony "original" batteries that are sent from china and cost about $45 bucks.
They are fakes, they might work, but they might damage your camera supposedly and supposedly might die soon too.

Check out my previous post.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27390

[Boyd Ostroff]

Personally I've never understood why anyone would take a chance on non-Sony batteries for the few bucks that it might save. When you consider how long you'll keep them the price difference will be pretty trivial. Caveat emptor. I have read that some 3rd part batteries don't work and you get a message from the camera saying they aren't infolithium, even though the same batteries were OK in the PD-150.

[Greg Wolfinger]

the ebay batteries from hong kong i can assure are NOT fake. they are oem sony batteries, come in the sony blister pack, and are brand spankin new. i bought mine from ebay user with the handle "thebattery" or somethin like that. he was a great seller and i would recommend him to all.

[Ray Echevers]

<<<-- Originally posted by Greg Wolfinger : the ebay batteries from hong kong i can assure are NOT fake. they are oem sony batteries, come in the sony blister pack, and are brand spankin new. i bought mine from ebay user with the handle "thebattery" or somethin like that. he was a great seller and i would recommend him to all. -->>>Why else would they come from Hong Kong?
Actually some other ebayers who saw that i bought one of the batteries, sent me emails and pictures comparing the fake and real ones. They are actually trying or did file a complaint to Ebay, complaining that these people are false advertising, claiming that they are OEM sony batteries, when in fact they are not. Some of the people who sell them even have on their accounts and auctions that they are situated in the USA and that they ship from the USA, when in fact they are shipped you the buyer directly from China.

[Tony Zubrowski]

I have 2 pd 170s and do weddings also. I agree with the Sony battery thread. Buy the authentic ones. For the few bucks more you'll have piece of mind.

We use the Bogen 3046 legs with the 501 head. Works great and provides good support.

You'll definitely want diversity wireless UHF mics. I have the Sony UCF c1. I bought them from B&H for $499 with a $100 gift card, which brought the effective cost down to $399. They work very well. I've been very happy with them except for the flimsy camera mount. I need to work out some way to reinforce it. It tends to slide. It hasn's fallen off, but it does make me nervous.

I also bought the Frezzi micro fill light. It's expensive, but works great and allows you to control the amount of light because it has a dimmer on it.

Don't forget a good case and rain cover.

Overall I love the 170's, they are great cams!

[Maurizio Panella]

I think a good light can make the difference for me.I have Paglight C6 kit and I'm happy with it.
Ciao,Maurizio.

[Paul Maxe]

<<<-- Originally posted by Tony Zubrowski : I have 2 pd 170s and do weddings also. I agree with the Sony battery thread. Buy the authentic ones. For the few bucks more you'll have piece of mind.

We use the Bogen 3046 legs with the 501 head. Works great and provides good support.

You'll definitely want diversity wireless UHF mics. I have the Sony UCF c1. I bought them from B&H for $499 with a $100 gift card, which brought the effective cost down to $399. They work very well. I've been very happy with them except for the flimsy camera mount. I need to work out some way to reinforce it. It tends to slide. It hasn's fallen off, but it does make me nervous.

I also bought the Frezzi micro fill light. It's expensive, but works great and allows you to control the amount of light because it has a dimmer on it.

Don't forget a good case and rain cover.

Overall I love the 170's, they are great cams! -->>>


Does that kit include 2 mics? Why the 501 head?

[Tony Zubrowski]

Sorry for the late reply, I've been out of town.

I use the 501 head because of cost. If I could afford a more expensive head I might upgrade, but the 501 works fine for me. The mic kit includes one lav mic, transmitter and receiver.